The mission of the Hammond Athletics Program is to instill
in students a commitment to athletic excellence at all levels
of participation that will contribute to the development of
their individual characters.
STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
The athletic program at Hammond is student-centered and an
integral part of the student’s total educational experience.
Hammond believes in a comprehensive physical activity program
for all students. The athletic program seeks to promote mental,
emotional, and social health in addition to the physical development
necessary for an active life. The program is designed to provide
positive learning opportunities for each student who participates,
to reflect the school’s ideas of diversity, continual
growth and achievement, and the development of the student’s
greatest potential. Furthermore, the program’s goal is
to provide equity among all teams and for all students so that
all participants and teams have a chance for success. Hammond
seeks to cultivate a strong set of values for all student-athletes,
such as self-discipline, integrity, sacrifice, commitment,
teamwork, team and school spirit, self-confidence, and the
development of physical fitness. Decision-making skills, good
citizenship, good sportsmanship, and the promotion of individual
maturity should also result from athletic participation. These
characteristics assist in the development of individual and
team attitudes that are beneficial for a successful season
and for future life.
Interscholastic sports offer the athlete an opportunity to
compete at the highest level, locally and statewide. The school
encourages each student to be engaged to the best of his/her
ability in the sports of his/her choice. The athlete shall
be expected to maintain the same academic standards as any
other Hammond student.
We live in a world where individual statistics and adulation
of a player have become important. Parents are more and more
concerned that their child’s performance is “in
the paper.” This focus has greatly damaged the basis
for playing a sport. Students should play to be a part of a
team, to play for the team rather than ever considering personal
reward, and to experience being a part of something more important
and bigger than themselves.
We will, of course, put names and records in the paper when
appropriate but our primary focus is for student-athletes to
play for Hammond and for the team. We will discourage inappropriate
focus on publicity for individuals.
Hammond will attempt to provide as many levels of participation
as is feasible given adequate facilities, staff, and schedules.
GOALS
1. Develop improved health and physical fitness.
2. Develop and improve movement skills.
3. Develop desirable social values and attitudes.
4. Develop specialized knowledge, skills, and appreciation
of sports.
5. Foster good sportsmanship at all times.
6. Develop highly competitive teams.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Hammond conducts an extensive interscholastic athletic program
in the belief that team experiences contribute significantly
to the development of character and school spirit. Sportsmanship
and fair play are vital parts of this training.
Coaches, student-athletes, parents, and faculty are expected
to dedicate their commitment
to controlling their emotions in challenging situations. Respect
begets respect.
Hammond expects our entire school community to be respectful
of all on and
off the field/court of play.
We play hard, while we respect our opponents and their efforts.
Skyhawk athletic teams represent all of us. Spectators represent
us as well, so it important that we all practice sportsmanship
and fair play. We want visitors to our campus, as well as our
hosts when we play at other schools, to notice clearly that
there is something special about Hammond people.
We encourage and endorse school spirit and the enthusiastic
support of parents and friends of the school. Focusing on these
topics, we expect adults to uphold the same high standards
as the students. Taunting and disrespect for opponents and
contest officials are expressly prohibited and will be closely
scrutinized by contest officials.
Hammond will not tolerate any spectator, either student or
adult, whose behavior is disrespectful toward officials, coaches,
players, cheerleaders, or other spectators. Neither will Hammond
allow any type of spectator behavior that either detracts from
the proper conduct of the game or disadvantages a player or
team. Thus, all concerned will have the opportunity to look
forward to our athletic contests and enjoy them to the fullest
extent.
SCISAA CODE OF CONDUCT – ARTICLE
XIII
Section I: Philosophy – The
South Carolina Independent School Association believes that
Interscholast
ic
athletics are an integral part of the total educational program.
High standards of behavior, scholarship, and citizenship
are important to a sound athletic program. Students volunteering
to participate in athletics must assume the responsibilities
of this privilege and are required to meet these expectations.
Moreover, adults shall be models of good sportsmanship and
will lead by example by demonstrating fairness, respect,
and self-control. Athletes, coaches, officials, and fans
shall at all times conduct themselves in a reasonable and
sportsmanlike manner. Each person will be responsible for
his/her words and actions at all SCISA athletic events and
will conform his/her behavior in adherence to the Code of
Conduct.
Section II: Sportsmanship Expectations
I therefore pledge to be responsible for my words and actions
while attending, coaching, officiating, or participating in
any SCISA athletic event and shall conform my behavior to the
following code of conduct.
I will treat any coach, parent, spectator,
player, official, or any other attendee with respect regardless
of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex,
or ability.
I will not engage in unsportsmanlike
conduct with any coach, parent, spectator, player,
official, or any other attendee.
I will not engage in any behavior
which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being
of any coach, parent, spectator, player, official,
or any other attendee.
I will not use drugs or alcohol
while at any athletic event. I will not attend, coach,
officiate or participate in an athletic event while
under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
I will not use tobacco (including
smokeless types) while at any athletic event.
I will not engage in the use of
profanity.
I will not engage in verbal or
physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent,
spectator, player, official, or any other attendee.
I will not initiate a fight or
scuffle with any coach, parent, spectator, player,
official, or any other attendee.
I will not argue
with officials or go through the motions indicating
dislike or disdain for a decision.
I will not make any degrading
remarks about any official, coach, athlete, or school.
I will not make any degrading remark or criticism
of any official, coach, athlete, or school to the
media.
I will not detain or attempt to
stop an official following a contest to request a
ruling or explanation of actions take by the official.
I understand that conduct that
leads to my removal from an athletic event may be
considered a serious violation of the code of conduct.
I understand that as
a coach or as a school administrator, that the
removal of a team before the completion of the game
may be considered a serious violation of the code
of conduct.
I hereby agree
that if I fail to conform to the code of conduct
while attending, coaching, officiating, or participating
in a SCISA athletic event that I will be subject
to disciplinary action by SCISA.
Section III: Consequences – Any
one or more of the following penalties may be imposed upon
any school, coach, spectator or athlete upon a violation
of Code of Conduct or Constitution of this association.
WARNING
A warning is official notice
that an inexcusable, unethical, unsportsmanlike action is matter
of record and any such must not happen again.
PROBATION
Probation is a more severe
type of penalty and is for a specified time period. A team
on probation shall not play in any playoff, championship, conference
tournaments or invitationals.
SUSPENSION Suspension is a severe
penalty which may be imposed for any specified time period
during which a team, individual, or coach is not allowed to participate.
The suspension may be for one or multiple activities.
FINE Fines may be levied and may
range from $10.00 to $100.00 for each infraction or violation.
A fine may be levied in addition to one of the above penalties.
All fines must be paid within ten (10) calendar days from the
date of the letter of notification.
Section IV: Reporting – Violations
of the Code of Conduct may be reported by:
School officials filing a written Incident Report or by
submitting a written report detailing the violation.
Officials filing an incident report or disqualification
notice.
SCISA Officials or representatives.
Section V: Appeals – An
athlete, coach, spectator or school always has the right
of due process. A notice to appeal an athletic decision must
be made in writing within ten (10) days of receipt of the
ruling. An appeal must be in the form of a complete written
brief containing all pertinent information. The brief must
be filed with the SCISA Athletic Office.
Section VI: Pre-Season Meeting – Each
school shall conduct at least one pre-season meeting with
coaches, parents, and players to present the Code of Conduct
and the expectations of good sportsmanship at athletic events.
This meeting also provides the vehicle to present school
policies, introduce school personnel, discuss the warning
of inherent risk associated with athletic participation,
and outline team goals and schedules.
Section VII: Designated Representative – Each
school is required to provide a designated representative at
all athletic events, both home and away. The designated representative
will represent the school’s administration
and will assist with the enforcement of the Code of Conduct.
The designated representative cannot be one of the coaches
involved in the contest. The designated representative should
not have any other responsibilities that may have him/her
unavailable when requested by the officials. The designated
representatives will meet the officials at least (5) five
minutes before the start of the contest. They will notify
the officials where they will be seated. They will assist
the officials without hesitation when requested. The
Host School is in charge of all spectators .
1. Class AAA Varsity Football and Varsity Basketball Games:
The Board of Directors voted to require that all Class AAA
schools will provide a uniformed police officer at all varsity
football and basketball games when the opponent is another
Class AAA school.
2. SCISA recommends that uniformed police officers be used
at all contests.
3. If probable cause exists that a problem may arise at a
contest, the Athletic Office can request, and the host school
will provide, adequate uniformed police protection.
Section IX: School Responsible for Conduct of Players,
Fans, and Coaches
Each school is responsible for the actions and conduct of
its coaches, athletes, and fans before, during, and after the
game. In case of
unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of the
coaches, school, officials, players or spectators of a
school, the school will be subject
to discipline by the Athletic Committee. All
FINES will be directed to the offending school. The school
will be responsible for paying of any fine within ten (10)
days of receiving notification of the fine.
Section X: Handling a Fracas
Should a fracas begin,
only members of the coaching staff will go on the field/court
to stop the fracas. All substitutes and other team personnel
are to remain in the team area. The officials are instructed
to stay in control of the contest and not allow a fracas
to begin, but once one has begun, they cannot get physically
involved. Any athlete who leaves the team box or bench area
and enters the field or floor area will be disqualified.
All cameramen should be instructed to continue filming. This
film will be vital to the Athletic Committee’s
investigation of the incident.
Section XI: Procedures for Interschool Complaints
1. All violations of the Constitution or the Code of Conduct
of this association must be reported in writing to the Athletic
Office.
2. Such violations, if possible, should be resolved directly
between schools. The Athletic Office will be happy to assist
in the resolution. The Athletic Committee reserves the authority
to review all cases to ensure that such violations have been
dealt with properly.
3. If direct school to school contact with the assistance
from the Athletic Office fails, then the matter will be brought
before the Athletic Committee at their next, regular scheduled
meeting. Each school must submit a written brief containing
all known facts pertinent to the incident. This information
should be complete to the point that it will be possible to
reach a valid decision without further investigation. The written
brief must be submitted at least five days prior to the Athletic
Committee Meeting through the Athletic Office. The Committee
may require the presence of any or all of the parties involved.
All parties involved will be offered an opportunity to appear
before the Committee.
4. The Committee shall make such rulings as it deems appropriate
under the circumstances.
SCISA GUIDELINES for PENALTIES and
FINES - ARTICLE XIV
During a school year, situations may arise involving the
rules and regulations pertaining to the rules of the game,
eligibility, required forms, schedules, entries to tournaments,
and unsportsmanlike conduct are considered by the Athletic
Committee. In order to avoid inconsistencies and to assist
the Athletic Committee in being uniform in its dealings within
the Association, these guidelines have been established. The
Athletic Committee has the authority to raise or lower a fine
depending upon the severity of the offense.
Section I : Ejections/Disqualifications
of Players and Coaches
Conduct that leads to
an ejection/disqualification will be considered as serious
unsportsmanlike conduct. Depending upon the severity of the
offense, a player or coach may be warned, fined, suspended,
or placed on probation. These offenses are cumulative over
the student’s career. The disqualification
of a coach will be considered on a case by case basis.
Note: SCISA acknowledges that in some areas of player
safety, that a player may be disqualified from a contest
for a safety rule violation (example: jewelry violation or
batting helmet violation after team warning). This type of
situation may not carry any additional penalty. As in all
cases, it will be thoroughly reviewed by the Athletic Office.
A. Schools are required to file a Form B: Disqualification/Incident
Report on all disqualifications/ejections.
GUIDELINES for a PLAYER DISQUALIFICATION/EJECTION
from an ATHLETIC EVENT
FIRST OFFENSE: A fine up to $100 and an
official warning. If the disqualification is for unsportsmanlike,
or flagrant illegal conduct, it will also carry a one game
suspension.
SECOND OFFENSE: A fine up to $200 and suspension
until an appearance before the Athletic Committee or SCISA
staff.
THIRD OFFENSE: This will result in the
termination of eligibility (reinstatement may only be granted
by the Athletic Committee).
Disqualification/Ejection Procedure:
In the event of a disqualification/ejection, SCISA should
receive a disqualification/ejection report from game officials
and Form B filed by the school.
A student or coach shall always have the right of due
process. The school may file an appeal of the disqualification/ejection
if the school can produce evidence that either the wrong
person was identified or that a rule was misapplied.
If a player is to be suspended for one game, it may not
necessarily be the next game.
Note: Any school or coach that permits any suspended coach
or athlete to participate in any athletic contest in violation
of the suspension will be suspended.
Section II: Participation by an Ineligible Student
A student is defined ineligible due to: academic status,
age and/or grade requirement, league suspension, participation
in two games in one day other than those outlined in the appropriate
rule section or any other student or team eligibility requirement. PENALTY:
a one hundred dollar fine can be issued for each violation
and all games the student participated in are forfeited.
Section III: Guidelines for Fines
Ten Dollar Fine
The party responsible for a schedule change after
schedules have been filed in the Athletic Office (football,
basketball, baseball, and softball). This fine is paid
directly to the Officials Booking Director.
If a school does not receive an assignment of officials
the day prior to a scheduled game, the District Director
will be responsible. This does not include necessary changes
of officials.
Twenty-Five Dollar Fine
A school places the name of an ineligible student on a
Certificate of Eligibility and the student does not participate.
Any student in uniform and permitted in the team area is
considered to have participated.
Minor unsportsmanlike conduct by players, coaches, or
fans.
Failure to file a schedule on or before the deadline to
the Athletic Office.
Failure to file a Certificate of Eligibility on or before
the deadline. This fine could be more severe if a game(s)
is played although all players are technically eligible.
Fifty Dollar Fines
Failure by a school to submit a Certificate of Eligibility
prior to participation in a contest. This includes inadvertently
omitting a name.
A second offense during a school year of an offense listed
for a $25 fine.
Failure to have a representative at a State Rules Clinic
(football/basketball/baseball/softball/volleyball).
One Hundred Dollar Fines
A school permits an ineligible student to participate.
A student is defined ineligible due to: academic status,
age and/or grade requirement, league suspension, participation
in two games in one day other than those outlined in the
appropriate rule section. A one hundred dollar fine can be
issued for each violation. Also, all games are forfeited.
A school permits a student to practice/play
without a completed physical and/or parents’ permission
form.
Serious unsportsmanlike conduct of players, coaches, or
fans. This includes a coach ejection.
HAMMOND SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS GENERAL POLICIES
1. SCISA rules will govern all sports sanctioned by the association.
2. Students should not be unduly influenced to participate
in a sport or to participate in one sport over another. Hammond
cannot get involved in sports specialization. All coaches and
all teams should enthusiastically promote the overall Hammond
Athletic Program.
3. In some cases Saturday practices may be approved by the
Athletic Director.
4. Games or scrimmages may not be held on Sundays.
5. Practices may not be held on Sundays,
unless a team is participating in a region tournament or state
tournament on the following Monday.
6. While school is in session, students are not permitted
to drive their cars to practices before 4: 30 p. m.
7. Athletic Medical Release and Code
of Conduct Forms– All
students participating on competitive athletic teams must turn
in a completed medical health and code of conduct forms. Any
student that does not have a current form on record will not
be permitted to participate until all of the necessary paperwork
is completed. Below are the deadlines for each form:
Athletic Medical Form Deadline: July 15 (for Fall Sports) and October 15 (for Winter and Spring Sports)
Code of Conduct Form Deadline: Friday, July 28
8. Physical Education: One credit will be earned in the freshman
year, and one will be earned in the sophomore year. In the
sophomore year, students who participate in a varsity or junior
varsity sport may earn 1/3 of a credit for each sport played.
However, if the student is not participating in a Hammond sport,
the student must be enrolled in P. E.
9. No non-Hammond team or squad, such as a club soccer or
a select baseball team, may be allowed to use our athletic
facilities. Also, participation on Hammond teams, no matter what level (varsity, junior varsity or middle school) takes precedence over a student's involvement with a club, select or AAU team.
10. Athletic Eligibility: In order to participate in interscholastic
athletics, a student must pass four academic courses each grading
period. This eligibility is determined on the day report cards
are issued. We firmly believe that if
a student is too sick to attend classes, the student should
not participate in athletics, including practice, for that
particular day. If a student has a doctor’s appointment
(or other non-academic commitment), the student must still
attend a minimum of three classes in order to participate in
any daily athletic activity.
11. If a student-athlete
is dismissed from a team or voluntarily leaves a team before
the end of that season, he/she may not compete, practice,
or workout with another team during that season, nor can
that student-athlete compete, practice, or workout with next
season’s team before the current season
has ended. For example, if a basketball player quits during
the winter season, he may not work in any way with the soccer
team until the winter season of that basketball team is officially
over.
12. A student-athlete involved with a team whose season is
still in progress may not practice with the next season’s
team until that current season has officially ended, unless
special arrangements have been made with the head coach of
the team whose season is in progress. Any type of special arrangement
must get Coach Edwards’ approval before it ever becomes
a reality.
13. Dress Gameday
dress will either be “dressy” for boys
and girls or the team will wear “the team polo shirt.” The
team polo may only be worn on gamedays. Dress must be appropriate,
clean, and neat. Coaches will judge what is or is not appropriate.
Coaches and students need to remember that they are ambassadors
of Hammond. Cheerleaders will be allowed to wear their uniforms
on pep rally days. Two times per year, during football season,
all cheerleading squads and all football teams will be allowed
to wear their uniforms or jerseys on the day of the Homecoming
game and the day of the Heathwood game.
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS
Hammond offers a broad spectrum of competitive sports ranging
from those requiring years of experience and skill to those
that can give a competitive experience to a beginner. We hope
the guiding principles can help students choose a positive
athletic experience.
Fall Sports
Varsity Football (B): Grades 9-12
Junior Varsity Football (B): Grades 8-9
Middle School Football (B): Grade 7
*Varsity Volleyball (G): Grades 8-12
*Junior Varsity Volleyball (G): Grades 7-10
*Varsity Tennis (G): Grades 7-12
*Junior Varsity Tennis (G): Grades 7-10
Varsity Cross Country (G & B): Grades 7-12
Varsity Swimming (G & B): Grades 7-12
*Varsity Cheerleading (G): Grades 9-12
*Junior Varsity Cheerleading (G): Grades 8-9
Middle School Cheerleading (G): Grade 7
Varsity Cheerleaders make a two-season commitment
when they become members of the team. They are expected to
cheer at both football and basketball games for the Varsity
teams.
Winter Sports
*Varsity Basketball (G & B): Grades 8-12
*Junior Varsity Basketball (G & B): Grades 8-10
*Middle School Basketball (G & B): Grades 7-8
Varsity Wrestling (B): Grades 7-12
Junior Varsity Wrestling (B): Grades 7-8
*Varsity Cheerleading (G): Grades 9-12
*Junior Varsity Cheerleading (G): Grades 8-10
Middle School Cheerleading (G): Grades 7-8
Developmental Basketball (G & B): Grades 7-8
Spring Sports
*Varsity Baseball (B): Grades 8-12
*Junior Varsity Baseball (B): Grades 7-10
*Varsity Softball (G): Grades 8-12
*Junior Varsity Softball (G): Grades 7-10
*Varsity Tennis (B): Grades 7-12
*Junior Varsity Tennis (B): Grades 7-10
*Varsity Soccer (G & B): Grades 8-12
Junior Varsity Soccer (G & B): Grades 7-10
Varsity Track (G & B): Grades 7-12
*Varsity Golf (G & B): Grades 7-12
Junior Varsity Golf (G & B): Grades 7-9
C-Team Baseball (B): Grades 7-8
*Sports where tryouts may be conducted with “cuts” having
to be made. If numbers are low for a certain team, such as JV Boys
or Girls’ Basketball, Volleyball, and Soccer or we have
an “exceptional” young athlete, eighth graders may
be eligible to compete at this level at the discretion of the
Athletic Director and the Administration. Also, student-athletes who participate on junior varsity teams can be "called up" to play with the varsity team if there is a need or the student-athlete is simply exceptional in the head coach's eyes and can immediately contribute to the team. Once again, this type of situation is at the discretion of the Athletic Director and the Administration.
VARSITY TEAMS
Membership on a high school varsity team generally requires
several years of experience in the sport.
This level is very competitive with the goal of vying for
state championships. Varsity team members usually engage in
a season of conditioning and strength training in addition
to the competitive season. Hammond schedules many of the strongest
teams in the private and the public school leagues.
Certain sports, such as football, basketball, volleyball,
and soccer, may require attending a team-camp off-campus. So,
students should always be mindful of the level of commitment
and sacrifice it takes to be a part of a varsity squad. Coaches
should also communicate the requirements expected for team
members in the off-season and in-season.
Fall sports, such as football, cross country, volleyball,
girls’ tennis, and cheerleading, will begin practice
before school starts. So, students and parents need to adjust
their calendars and coaches need to notify the students when
practices will start well in advance.
JUNIOR VARSITY TEAMS
Participation at this level is for girls and boys who are
not yet physically ready or experienced for varsity competition.
JV teams are striving for maximum skill development, competitiveness,
and winning seasons. These teams are essential parts of the
construction of the varsity’s success in the future.
Certain junior varsity teams in the fall, such as football,
volleyball, tennis, girls’ tennis, and cheerleading,
may begin before school starts. So, students and parents need
to adjust their calendars and coaches need to notify the students
and parents when practices will start well in advance.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAMS and ATHLETES
At the middle school level, emphasis is on skill development
and participation while also striving for winning seasons.
Certain sports, such as basketball and baseball, may not be
able to accommodate all students who tryout. The nature of
some sports lead to the “cut” process, but Hammond
is encouraging “C-Teams,” such as a Developmental
Basketball Team or a Middle School Baseball Team if there is
enough interest in that particular sport. The Athletic Department
will do its best, within its means, to find qualified coaches
and opponents for these athletes.
At all levels, Hammond does
not adhere to an “all players
get equal playing time” policy, but our coaches are considerate
to each youngster on each squad and will make each child have
a meaningful role on a respective team. During the season, participation on Hammond teams takes precedence over a student's involvement in any club, select or AAU team.
SCISAA ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY RULES
The primary purpose of school is participating in one’s
own EDUCATION. The participation in athletics is a privilege
for students who are in good academic standing. An ineligible
student-athlete is not allowed to participate in any type of
team practice or to participate in any type of game competition
against another school. “Dressing out” and/or being
in the team bench area are considered to be forms of participation.
1. A student is ineligible if his/her nineteenth birthday
is before September 1 of the current school year. The Athletic
Committee may not set aside the age rule.
2. A student must take, pass, and receive credit for at least
four one-credit, core subjects, or their equivalents (courses
which have not been previously passed) each 6/9/12-week marking
period, excluding courses taught by the Home School Method.
If the student does not meet standard, he/she will not be eligible
during the next 6/9/12 -week marking period.
3. Eligibility is to be delayed at 12:01 a. m. on the Monday
following the issuance of report cards.
Note: If a nine-week marking period begins during a season
already in progress (example: basketball or baseball) the
decision as to whether or not a student who becomes eligible
will be allowed to join a team in “mid-season” will
be left up to the discretion of the particular coach or coaches
involved.
4. A student must have received credit for at least four
one-credit courses from the previous school year to be eligible
for the first 6/9/12 -week marking period. Credits earned during
summer sessions may be accepted from an accredited school.
5. Eligibility during the current school year will be determined
by the first quarter/first semester/third quarter grades.
6. A student must attend a full academic day in order to
participate in a practice or to play in a game on any given
day. All class absences must be excused absences. We firmly
believe that if a student is too sick to attend classes,
the student should not participate in athletics, including
practice, for that particular day. If a student has a doctor’s
appointment (or other non-academic commitment), the student
must still attend a minimum of three classes in order to
participate in any daily athletic activity.
7. A student must be in grade seven or above to participate.
8. The Eight-Semester Rule: All students will have eight
consecutive semesters of eligibility beginning with the first
year that they enter the ninth grade public or independent
school.
Exceptions to the Eight-Semester Rule will only be granted
by the Athletic Committee for a documented, temporary, or traumatic,
medical or psychological condition which prohibited the student
from performing the requirements necessary to pass.
Eight-Semester Waiver – Examples that would be
considered:
1. A student had a health problem caused by an illness which
prevented their attending school sufficiently to pass.
2. A student had a health problem caused by an accident which
prevented their attending school sufficiently to pass.
3. Student X is a good student and played football during
his twelfth grade and was involved in an auto accident on Thanksgiving
and was unable to complete the remainder of his senior year.
He recovered from his injury during the summer and returned
to school to complete his senior year and requested a waiver
of the semester rule. Student X could be allowed eligibility
beginning with the date of the accident.
Eight-Semester Waiver – Examples that would not
be considered:
1. A student had a health problem caused by an illness that
prevented him/her from attending school sufficiently to pass.
2. A student had a health problem caused by an accident that
prevented him/her attending school sufficiently to pass.
3.Student X is a good student and played football during
his twelfth grade and was involved in an auto accident on Thanksgiving
and was unable to complete the remainder of his senior year.
He recovered from his injury during the summer and returned
to school to complete his senior year and requested a waiver
of the semester rule. Student X could be allowed eligibility
beginning with the date of the accident.
Eight-Semester Waiver – Examples that would not
be considered:
1. A student was unable to make satisfactory progress and
had to repeat a grade.
2. A student that had an injury that prevented his/her participation
in athletics but did not prevent attendance at school.
3. A student transfers from one school to a school with higher
standards that caused the student to repeat a grade.
4. A student’s
basis for waiver is:
a. a death in the
immediate family.
b. parents had marital problems.
c. a learning disability
or difficulty.
d. the student was “immature” and
was held back.
5. A student who repeats a grade below the ninth grade level
after having passed that grade would not be eligible during
the year that is repeated. To be eligible, a student must take
and be passing four credit courses or their equivalent for
which no previous credit has been given.
Example: Student A passed the
eighth grade but his parents decide that he should repeat
the grade. Student A would not be eligible during the second
year that he was in the eighth grade.
6. A request for a waiver will be considered at the time
that the facts have been determined.
Example: Student A was unable
to attend school during the tenth grade because of an extended
illness. A request for a waiver could be made and considered
as soon as he recovers. All requests for waivers must be
made in writing by the Headmaster.
Requests for waivers concerning the Eight-Semester Rule must
contain the following:
1. a written request from the school.
2. a copy of: A. birth certificate; B. transcript.
3. a copy of the appeal brief including sufficient data to
make it possible to reach a decision without further investigation.
4. a request to personally appear before the Athletic Committee.
The decisions of the Athletic Committee (whether appealed
to the SCISAA Board of Directors or not) to grant a waiver
shall not be considered as setting a precedent for other cases
of somewhat similar nature.
SCISAA ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY RULES – TEAM
1. Member schools become eligible for tournaments
or championships by participation in the regular schedule as
set forth in each activity. A student is ineligible to participate
in athletics if his/her nineteenth (19) birthday is before
July 1 of the current school year.
2. A student may participate in only one football game each
calendar week and in one basketball game each day. A student
must have played in more than one-half of the Junior Varsity
basketball games to be able to play in a conference Junior
Varsity Tournament. Exception: A player becomes
eligible after the start of the basketball season. No
student shall participate in two games of the same sport on
the same day unless the contests are doubleheaders in volleyball,
baseball, or softball.
Example:
A student cannot participate in a Junior Varsity/B-Team basketball
game and Varsity contest on the same day. Participation is
defined as dressed in the team uniform and in the team area
or named in the scorebook.
3. In order to participate in Junior
Varsity athletics, a student must not have reached his/her
sixteenth (16) birthday before July 1 of the current school
year. In order to participate in Junior Varsity football,
a student must also be in the ninth (9) grade or below.
4.
In order to participate in Middle School athletics, a student
must not have reached his/her fifteenth (15) birthday before
July 1 of the school year. Exception: B-Team Football.
A student must not have reached his fourteenth (14) birthday
before July 1 of the school year.
HAMMOND SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS
ATHLETIC TEAM
TRYOUT GUIDELINES
If tryouts are necessary, coaches will follow these guidelines:
1. Inform parents and students when and where tryouts will
be held. A sign-up sheet for those trying out will be posted
either on the coach’s classroom/office
door or the athletic department’s door. This sheet is
necessary to see how many students will be at tryouts on the
first day.
2. Inform all players regarding criteria for evaluation. Example:
In baseball/softball, students will be evaluated on their ability
to run, throw, field, and hit.
3. In the fall and winter, tryouts will be conducted on the
first three days of organized practice. Each player will have
a minimum of three days to show his/her skill level. In case
of an excused illness, that student will be given three days
of tryouts upon his/her return to school.
4. Because of the month-overlap between the winter and spring
seasons, it is rarely possible to have the whole team together
for the official start of the spring sports season. In the
case that tryouts cannot be held with all potential team members
present. Tryouts can be held on an individual basis. In some
cases because of the overlap between winter and spring seasons,
full-scale tryouts may not begin until basketball season is
totally over, which for varsity means March and for junior
varsity means mid-February. There is a possibility that a student,
who is trying out for a baseball team and not participating
in any winter sport, could go through numerous baseball workouts
but still not make the team. This can happen, because students
who are playing basketball in the winter may simply be better
at baseball, but they cannot come out until their basketball
season is officially over or unless some special arrangement
has been made for an individual tryout which has been approved
by the winter coach, the baseball coach, and Coach Edwards.
5. Hammond has determined that individual/personal results
of tryouts will be communicated by letter, in a sealed envelope,
to each student at the conclusion of the tryout period.
HAMMOND
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
OF ATHLETICS
PRE-SEASON PRACTICE
1. SCISAA (South Carolina Independent School Athletic Association),
the athletic branch of SCISA, starting dates for the first
day of organized team practice for 2006 - 2007:
Fall Sports: July 31
Winter Sports: October
30
Spring Sports: January 22
2. A coach may supervise a pre-season *(varsity players only)
strength and conditioning program up to three (3) times per
week. Working with several players on “sport specific” fundamentals
as part of the strength and conditioning program is acceptable.
All pre-season programs must be approved by Coach Edwards.
3. Weekend Practices: Prior to the start of the season (first
game) up to two Saturday practices are permissible. Once the
season begins (first game), there are to be no weekend practices.
Sunday practices are prohibited.
Exception: Region and state tournaments, such in
basketball, may have Monday games scheduled, so a practice
on the Sunday before can happen, but must be approved by Coach
Edwards well in advance and the students must be informed in
advance. Coaches must respect the religious beliefs of their
athletes and their families; students should not be penalized
if unable to attend because of their faith.
4. Holiday Practices:
a. Thanksgiving: No practice or games Wednesday through Sunday.
b. Christmas Holidays: One tournament and four practices
will be allowed. These practices, which will be on the gym
schedule with each team given a particular time, cannot be
considered mandatory. Practice
is not allowed on New Year’s Day.
c. Winter Break: No games from Friday through Sunday. One
practice will be allowed. For example, practice on Monday will
be allowed if there is a game on Tuesday, such as Region Basketball
Quarterfinals that always take place after this long weekend.
d. Spring Break: Four practices will be allowed.
5. Hammond athletic facilities will not be used for any non-interscholastic
athletic activity (Example: club soccer or AAU basketball).
6. If an athlete is participating in an in-season sport at
Hammond (Example: spring soccer) and an out-of-season sport
(Example: spring AAU basketball), the in-season sport at Hammond
takes precedence and the coach of the out-of-season sport will
require the athlete to compete in the in-season sport if there
is a conflict.
7. Each athlete may participate in one “team” camp
per sport over the summer. These “team” camps will
be funded by the individuals going to the camp, not the school
(Example: If the cheerleading squad is going to “team” camp,
the members of the squad must pay their own fees just like
basketball players going to “team” camp have to.).
8. No out-of-season activities will be funded by Hammond.
REMINDERS to STUDENT-ATHLETES :
A. Hammond does not have the enrollment to support “sport
specialization.”
B. Students should be encouraged by all coaches to compete
for Hammond and not for off-campus organizations.
The above-mentioned information allows every team
and every coach the opportunity to compete
on an equal basis and promotes the overall Hammond Athletic
Program.
